Jackie McNamara is set to take over at Dundee United after Partick Thistle
confirmed they had granted their manager permission to speak to the Tayside
club.

McNamara and Falkirk manager Steven Pressley emerged as the leading candidates to replace Peter Houston in the past few days and reports that McNamara would be unveiled on Wednesday were followed by a statement from the Glasgow club.

It read: “Following an approach from Dundee United, the board of directors of Partick Thistle Football Club have reluctantly granted permission for Jackie McNamara and Simon Donnelly to speak to them about their vacant managerial position.”

United are understood to be optimistic of concluding the deal today, although there is no guarantee that McNamara will be unveiled in the next 24 hours.

United face the biggest game of their season so far on Saturday when they host Rangers in the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round and are keen to have McNamara in place in plenty of time to prepare for the visit of Ally McCoist’s men.

McCoist is optimistic that captain Lee McCulloch will return from injury for the clash at Tannadice.

The players and caretaker manager Paul Hegarty endured a fruitless trip towards Motherwell last night before their SPL clash was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch less than two hours before kick-off.

The United board stepped up their interest in McNamara as they agreed a deal to end Houston’s reign on Monday, several months earlier than anticipated.

Billy Dodds was also interviewed for the post last week while another former United striker, Finland manager Mixu Paatelainen, revealed the club had approached his employers but were rebuffed.

McNamara has impressed in his first management job after turning Thistle into Irn-Bru First Division title contenders.

The 39-year-old initially took over as caretaker manager from Ian McCall in April 2011 and would leave Thistle in second place in the table, five points behind Morton with two games in hand. The former Celtic and Scotland player led the Jags to a sixth-placed finish in his first full season in charge.

On Tuesday night Motherwell organised two pitch inspections following heavy rain but the match was called off less than two hours before kick-off.

Referee Stephen Finnie made the decision at about 6pm with the ball unable to bounce properly on the affected area.

Finnie told BBC Scotland: “There was one problem area when I was doing the first inspection. At that time there was heavy rain and nowhere for the water to go.

“I relayed that back to the SPL and given the weather forecast for the rain going off they decided to do another one at quarter to six.”

But the affected area was still not playable and the game was called off despite the rain going off.

Finnie said: “It’s a danger to the players. The ball was just not bouncing at all. There was no option.

“You have to make a decision at a certain time, as advised by the SPL.

“You give the game every chance but we took the team over and showed them what the ball was doing and there was no argument at all.”

Kilmarnock have signed Northern Ireland international Sammy Clingan on an 18-month deal.

The 29-year-old was looking for a club after being released by Doncaster last month following a short spell where he made nine appearances.

He is eligible for tomorrow night's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Celtic Park, although he is short of match fitness.

The 20-year-old arrived in Scotland this morning and could feature in tomorrow's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park.

Ross County have confirmed the signing of Canada defender Andre Hainault following a successful work permit application.

The 26-year-old signs from Houston Dynamo, who he helped to two consecutive Major League Soccer Cup finals.

Inverness have signed QPR midfielder Jordan Gibbons on loan until the end of the season.

Caley Thistle say the 19 year-old wide midfielder is expected to feature in the squad for Wednesday night's game against St Mirren at Paisley.

The Scottish Football Association say Danny Wilson would have served the suspension sparked by his League Cup final red card during a Barclays Premier League game as they confirmed he was eligible to play in Hearts' semi-final win.

Partick duo Stephen O'Donnell and Stuart Bannigan are among four new faces in Scotland Under-21s coach Billy Stark's squad for next Wednesday's friendly in Greece.

Kilmarnock forward Rory McKenzie is also included for the first time while Celtic goalkeeper Robbie Thomson replaces Tottenham's Jordan Archer, who has a game with loan club Wycombe on Monday night.

Stuart Armstrong, Rhys McCabe and Tony Watt return to the squad after missing the 3-2 friendly defeat to Portugal in November through injury